NORMAN, Okla. — It’s still unclear the next time we will see Oklahoma’s star pitcher, Jordy Bahl, in the circle.

OU coach Patty Gasso didn’t have much of an update on the injured freshman ahead of this weekend’s NCAA regional in Norman.

“Still day to day,” Gasso said. “The goal is to get her pain-free, and we're still working in that direction. A lot of different things that we’re trying for her. Doctors are involved as well. If it's doable, it'll be done.”

Gasso says Bahl’s absence has been a product of arm soreness. It's easy to believe with the effort Bahl has put in over 132 1/3 innings worked this season, finishing the regular season with a 0.95 ERA

🎥 Watch Patty Gasso’s full Zoom news conference

Bahl missed the Sooners’ Big 12 tournament run, which ended with a one-run loss to Oklahoma State in the tournament final. During the Sooners’ game against the Cowgirls, Gasso was asked about Bahl’s injury on the ESPN broadcast. The OU coach said she expects Bahl to return at some point this postseason.

When is now the question. Bahl (21-1) is hopeful it will be soon, according to her coach.

“With this injury, she's handling it very optimistically,” Gasso said. “She's frustrated that she can't help the team. But she's confident that she's gonna get the opportunity to get back on the field.”

So, who do the Sooners turn to?

Oh, just Hope Trautwein (16-1), the newcomer from North Texas, who’s posted a 0.31 ERA and 10.3 strikeouts per seven innings, which rank second and 17th, respectively, in the country.

There’s also sophomore Nicole May (12-0), who’s recorded a 1.11 ERA and was a crucial part of OU’s pitching staff a year ago when the program claimed its fifth national title.

It’s possible junior Macy McAdoo could see a few innings this weekend as well.

“I really like right now where Nicole May and Hope have been,” Gasso said. “Macy's been coming back from hip injuries and she's feeling good. She's throwing well. We do definitely have options that we're not afraid of using at all at this time.”

And about that loss to Oklahoma State.

OU seems to be taking the setback just fine.

It was only the second loss of the Sooners’ season and it came against a group that earned the No. 7 overall seed in this year’s NCAA tournament.

🎥 Watch Jocelyn Alo’s full Zoom news conference

“I feel like it's kind of been normal,” Alo said of the mood around the team. “Losses are gonna happen, we're not a perfect team. And I'd rather lose now than to lose in the next few weeks here. It's not how you start, it's how you finish. We're just gonna keep rolling and keep working from here on out.

“I think we're in a really good spot coming off of that. And I would watch out for who's gonna play us next.”

Godspeed, Prairie View A&M.

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Norman regional schedule

Friday, May 20 (all times in CT)

• Game 1: Minnesota vs. Texas A&M (ESPN2), 4 p.m.

• Game 2: Oklahoma vs. Prairie View A&M (ESPN+), 6 p.m.

Saturday, May 21

• Game 3: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner (TV TBD, ESPN Networks), 1 p.m.

• Game 4: Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser (TV TBD, ESPN Networks), 3:30 PM

• Game 5: Game 4 winner vs. Game 3 loser (TV TBD, ESPN Networks), 6 p.m.

Sunday, May 22

• Game 6: Game 3 winner vs. Game 5 winner (TV TBD, ESPN Networks), 1 p.m.

• Game 7 (if necessary): Game 6 winner vs. Game 6 loser (TV TBD, ESPN Networks), 3:30 p.m.